We’ve compiled an inventory of all the things we learn about 28 Years Later, a trilogy of sequels to Danny Boyle and Alex Garland’s 28 Days Later.
Followers of 28 Days Later and its follow-up 28 Weeks Later have been ready seventeen years for one more entry within the franchise, hoping we’d sometime see a film referred to as 28 Months Later. We’re not getting that one, however 28 Days Later director Danny Boyle and screenwriter Alex Garland are presently engaged on reviving the franchise, they usually’re going to make this revival definitely worth the wait. Not solely are we getting a brand new film referred to as 28 Years Later, we’re really getting a complete trilogy of sequels! Compiled beneath is all the things we learn about this 28 Years Later sequel trilogy.
LONG IN THE WORKS
Manner again in 2009, we heard that Paul Andrew Williams (The Cottage) was on board to direct 28 Months Later… however that challenge didn’t make it into manufacturing. Since then, we’ve heard Boyle and Garland point out 28 Months Later each every now and then. They’d say there was an amazing thought for the sequel, then later say it’d by no means occur. In a 2022 interview, Boyle stated Garland had already written the script, and it’d lastly be the time to make it right into a film. In the midst of 2023, the collaborators confirmed to Inverse that they had been having severe talks in regards to the sequel, which they had been calling 28 Years Later. Garland stated, “A couple of years in the past an thought materialized in my head for what can be actually 28 Years Later. Danny all the time favored the thought.“ Boyle added, “So we’re speaking about it fairly significantly, fairly diligently. If he doesn’t wish to direct it himself I’ll be nicely up for it if we will execute a equally good thought.“
28 Weeks Later wasn’t as profitable as its predecessor, making $65.8 million on a funds of $15 million vs. 28 Days Later‘s $84.6 million on a funds of $8 million. That’s a part of the rationale why one other sequel hasn’t occurred sooner – together with the truth that Garland wasn’t overly happy with 28 Weeks Later, which he didn’t write. Garland informed Inverse, “I resisted [making a sequel] for a very long time as a result of there have been issues about 28 Weeks that bugged me. I simply thought, ‘F*ck that. I’d fairly attempt to write a special story in a special world.’“ Now he’s prepared to write down not only one however three new tales within the 28 Days Later world.
DIRECTORS
Alex Garland is anticipated to write down the scripts for all three of the 28 Years Later motion pictures, however apparently didn’t wish to direct them. Danny Boyle will solely be directing the primary one. For the second movie, probably titled 28 Years Later Half 2, he’ll be passing the helm over to Candyman and The Marvels director Nia DaCosta. Manufacturing on DaCosta’s sequel will start instantly after Boyle wraps filming on his. They wished to have the sequel director signed on earlier than filming on the primary film begins, as they wish to “make certain every director is on the identical web page in regard to the story whereas additionally having time to deliver their very own imaginative and prescient to life.”
CILLIAN MURPHY
In 28 Days Later, Cillian Murphy performed bicycle courier Jim, who wakes up from a coma to seek out himself in an apocalyptic England that’s overrun by individuals who have been contaminated by a rage virus. Boyle and Garland went by a number of endings for the movie earlier than touchdown on the one movie-goers noticed in theatres – and that ending was the one one the place Jim survived. So he’s nonetheless on the market, able to reside by one other rage virus nightmare 28 years later. If Boyle and Garland determine to place him within the story.
Whereas doing the press rounds for Oppenheimer final 12 months, Murphy informed Collider, “I used to be speaking to Danny Boyle just lately, and I stated, ‘Danny, we shot the film on the finish of 2000.’ So I believe we’re undoubtedly approaching the 28 Years Later. However like I’ve all the time stated, I’m up for it. I’d like to do it. If Alex [Garland] thinks there’s a script in it and Danny desires to do it, I’d like to do it.“ Although Murphy is prepared to reprise the position of Jim and is on board 28 Years Later as an government producer, we nonetheless haven’t heard affirmation that he’ll really be within the film. Whereas speaking to Josh Horowitz on the Joyful Unhappy Confused podcast a pair months in the past, Murphy stated (with because of Coming Quickly for the transcription), “It’s for (Danny Boyle and Alex Garland) to discuss, I suppose, however I believe it’s been brewing for some time. The primary film was so necessary for me, as an actor. I really like working with these guys. Alex has an thought. And Danny directing is simply large. Watch this house.”
CAST
Whereas we wait to listen to for positive if Cillian Murphy is or isn’t within the film, different casting rumors have been floating round. In response to business scooper Daniel Richtman, Jodie Comer (Killing Eve) and Charlie Hunnam (Sons of Anarchy) are in talks to play the lead roles. Particulars on the characters they is perhaps taking part in are, in fact, being saved below wraps.
DISTRIBUTION
There was a bidding battle over the distribution rights to the 28 Years Later trilogy, with Warner Bros. and Sony rising as the ultimate opponents – and Sony taking the win ultimately. In response to The Hollywood Reporter, “Every film can have a funds within the $60 million vary however it’s unclear how goalposts or compensation could have modified in the course of the high-stakes negotiations. A theatrical launch was of nice import to the filmmakers.” Sony had an edge on this race as a consequence of the truth that it’s headed up by Tom Rothman, who was at Fox and labored with Boyle on eight completely different motion pictures there. Launch dates haven’t but been introduced.
Boyle and Garland are producing 28 Years Later with Bernie Bellew, unique producer Andrew Macdonald, and Peter Rice, who was the pinnacle of Fox Searchlight Footage when that firm backed 28 Days Later. As talked about, Murphy is government producing.
And that’s all the things we all know in regards to the 28 Years Later trilogy at this level. Are you wanting ahead to those movies? Tell us by leaving a remark beneath.
